Dunblane Station is being transformed under the Scottish Government-funded Access for All programme that aims to improve access at stations for those with limited mobility.

An artist impression of the footbridge proposed at Dunblane Station. (Photo: Network Rail)

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Work will begin next week on a £3.5m scheme to transform a rail station in time for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September.

Dunblane Station is being transformed under the Scottish Government-funded Access for All programme that aims to improve access at stations for those with limited mobility.

A new, fully-accessible footbridge will be constructed over the next seven months. It will include lifts and stairs and will replace the existing Stirling Council-owned blue footbridge.

Step-free access will be provided from the station entrance on to the platforms and over to the Stirling Council-owned car park, adjacent to Tesco.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “In keeping with the wider conservation area, a sympathetic design was approved by the council which includes finishes in keeping with the surrounding buildings.

“The bridge will also be constructed with materials sympathetic to the existing station structure.”

Network Rail’s acting route managing director for Scotland David Dickson added: “These enhancements will protect the historic appearance of the station while also improving access to the railway for all members of the local community.”

The Access for All programme is managed by Transport Scotland, which also selects the stations for enhancement, and is delivered by Network Rail.

Network Rail contractors Balfour Beatty will move on site next week to begin preparatory work.

Network Rail’s spokesman said the project should not impact on rail services.

“Ninety per cent of the work can done while the trains are running,” he added.

“We can crane the bridge in over the weekend, when it is quieter, and also `piggyback’ on other work going on.”

Plans for a new bridge to replace the existing blue structure were approved by Stirling Council in December.

However, a separate listed building application for the removal of the 166-year-old Victorian Bridge was rejected.

Network Rail, who had been planning to move the bridge to Caledonian Heritage Railway at Bridge of Dun, are currently considering whether to appeal against the council decision.

Scotrail confirmed that special Ryder Cup services, bound for Gleneagles, would stop at Dunblane.